Jingzhong Mountain Toon

Jingzhong Mountain Toon

　　Speaking of toon, there is also such a story that has been passed down among the people.

　　Once upon a time, an emperor went hunting in the Yanshan area. While chasing a wild animal, he and his guards ran far ahead of the main party. As it gradually grew dark, the emperor, tired and hungry, noticed a cottage on the mountain and knocked on its wooden door with his guards, hoping to get a meal. When the host heard that the emperor had come to his home, he quickly took out the only four eggs he had and prepared to cook them for the emperor. But four eggs weren’t enough for a full dish. It was early spring, and there were no other ingredients available in the mountains at the time. After thinking it over, the host suddenly thought of the toon tree in his yard. He immediately picked a few tender buds from the tree and stir-fried them with the four eggs. When the dish was served, the emperor was very pleased. The stir-fried eggs with toon had a mix of yellow and green, red and white, glistening and fresh, both tender and fragrant. Having tasted all kinds of delicacies, the emperor had never eaten this dish before and found it incredibly delicious, praising it nonstop. When he returned to the palace, he added this Stir-Fried Eggs with Toon to the imperial menu, and the concubines in the palace all sang its praises as well.

　　Whether the story of the emperor eating Stir-Fried Eggs with Toon is true or not is impossible to verify. But it is a fact that the toon from the Jingzhong Mountain area was offered as tribute during both the Ming and Qing dynasties.

　　The toon of Jingzhong Mountain can be described as truly unique. Firstly, its color is distinctive. While most toon is a dull red, the toon of Jingzhong Mountain is deep red with a bright sheen. When pickled, the red toon yields a greenish brine, with a rich aroma, crisp and tender taste that is incomparable to other varieties. It also has another characteristic: the unique flavor of Jingzhong Mountain toon is only found from the foot of Jingzhong Mountain to Huazhuang Village and its surrounding areas. Just three to five li away, the toon lacks the same fragrance and color. Some have tried transplanting saplings from this village to other areas, but when they sprouted again, they showed none of the original distinctive qualities.

　　In fact, the consumption of toon has a long history, having been popular throughout China since the Han Dynasty. Yuan Haowen once wrote the verse, “Children by the stream pick toon buds together, pointing to the sunny slope while talking about planting melons.” In the Ming Dynasty, Tu Benjun wrote in “Wild Vegetable Treatise” praising toon buds: “Chewing them fills your teeth with fragrance all day long.”

　　Toon is highly nutritious. Analysis shows that per 100 grams, it contains 9.8 grams of protein, 143 milligrams of calcium, 135 milligrams of phosphorus, 115 milligrams of vitamin C, and 1 milligram of vitamin B2. Its protein content tops all vegetables, and its calcium level ranks among the highest in vegetables. The Han Dynasty text “Shengsheng Compilation” states: “Toon, when cooked, dispels wind and removes toxins.” The book “A Brief Discussion on Vegetarian Food” says, “Toon, blanched in boiling water and mixed with sesame oil and salt, tastes excellent. Mixed with tofu, it’s also great—fragrant and rich in flavor.” “Flowers and Trees Records” notes: “Toon buds are eaten as a vegetable and are sometimes used to make tea. The earliest sprouts are especially treasured.” Due to its short growing season and the scarcity of toon trees, it is limited in quantity and considered a delicacy among vegetables.

　　There are many ways to eat toon: dishes like Tofu with Toon, Stir-Fried Eggs with Toon, and Stir-Fried Pork Slices with Toon are quite popular. Toon has a bitter, astringent, and warm nature, and is known to dispel wind and dampness, relieve pain and bleeding, and kill parasites. “Compendium of Materia Medica” records that toon can “dispel wind and detoxify. Those with blood-related deficiencies should use toon bark.” The root bark of toon can treat dysentery, enteritis, and urinary tract infections. The leaves and tender branches of toon can be used to treat dysentery and similar ailments. “Tang Materia Medica” states: “Boiling toon leaves in water can be used to wash scabies, reduce inflammation, prevent decay, and relieve itching.” “Chinese Herbal Medicine Dictionary” says: “Toon leaves can detoxify and treat carbuncles and lacquer blisters.” Folk remedies use mashed toon leaves or buds mixed with equal parts garlic and salt as a poultice to treat boils and abscesses. Modern pharmacological analysis shows that toon decoctions inhibit bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and can treat skin sores, scabies, and other conditions.